ACKNOWLEDGING that brownout has become a perennial problem in the whole region, presidential aspirant Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos vowed to ensure that the Bicolanos won’t have to endure such difficulty when he gets elected in the May 9, 2022 Elections.

Marcos said he “feels the intolerable hardship that the Bicolanos are experiencing because of the endless brownout, which had been prevalent in the region for almost a decade.”

“Ang laking epekto nito sa pang-araw-araw na ikinabubuhay ng ating mga kababayan. Hindi na nga sila komportable sa kanilang sariling tahanan at opisina, marami nang appliances tiyak ang sinira dahil sa walang katapusang brownout sa Bicolandia,” he said.

The situation is aggravated every time a strong typhoon visits the region, like Typhoon Quinta, Ulysses, Super Typhoon Rolly, and Odette last December.

The scarcity of electric power has also affected the online classes of the students.

Bicol Region is composed of six provinces — Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, and Sorsogon.

Marcos said that aside from ‘temporary solutions’ that are being implemented, what is needed is a long-term solution that will lead to the eradication of the problem.

It can be recalled that Ilocos Region, where Marcos served as governor, had experienced the same predicament but has become popular after a wind farm was constructed in the shoreline of Bangui.

The Bangui Wind Farm and the Nabas Wind Farm in Aklan have become viable sources of energy aside from being tourist attractions.

Marcos said it is time to conduct studies on alternative renewable energy sources to ease the burden of the Filipinos, especially those who are in the provinces.

“Ang gagamitin natin is natural sources of energy. Hindi na tayo gagamit ng coal. Hindi gagamit ng fossil fuel. Kailangan meron tayong kapalit and the renewables ay (always) available,” he said.

The scarcity of electric energy in some areas is also one of the reasons why some investors are having a second thought on investing in the country.

“This has been a constant sticking point with all of our investors, not only foreign investors but even the local investors. Kapag tinatanong mo yung mga negosyante na gustong magtayo ng planta, gustong magtayo ng manufacturing ‘yun ang inirereklamo nila. Sinsasabi nila ang taas masyado ng kuryente nila, hindi kami maka-compete sa ibang lugar,” Marcos added.

He said this problem could be solved through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP).

“Hindi dapat ganito ang sitwasyon sa Bicol dahil tungkulin ng estado na bigyan ng maayos na pamumuhay ang ating mga kababayan,” he said.

Some experts said that an ‘underground distribution’ of electricity should be constructed to avoid the destruction being brought by typhoons, others suggested that there should be a dialogue between the stakeholders and electric cooperatives to come out with viable solutions.

“Lahat ng aspeto kailangan nating tingnan. Napakahalaga ng murang kuryente at sapat na enerhiya. Can you imagine iyong mga batang paslit na may sakit na hika tapos kailangan silang ma-nebulize at hindi ma-nebulize dahil walang kuryente? Lalo lang sila magkakasakit lalo kasi hindi sila komportable dahil brownout sa kanilang bahay. Paano pa ang ating mga senior citizens,” Marcos said.